Snow Day
It wasn’t the snow day we had hoped for. Yes, it did snow, and a thick white blanket covered town giving garbage cans queenly crowns. But there was still work to be done, and there were no pork fried dumplings to be had. Truth be told, I felt a bit sad about it. I thought I would glide from a deep sleep into a day that exists outside of time. The kind of day with stolen kisses and afternoon movies and latte art and peacefully, cozily looking out the window of our favorite Chinese restaurant surrounded by blue and white china and tiny cups of jasmine tea. But then the alarm clock went off.
It reminded me of a time in sixth grade when I stayed up half the night with my older brother and sister watching The Bodyguard (it was 1993, after all) certain that school would be closed in the morning. I bet all my little 11-year-old chips, and in the cold light of day stood beside a snow bank, cranky and light-headed, waiting for the school bus to arrive.
Sebastian pulled on his big, heavy black boots and kissed me goodbye. I stayed tangled up in the white sheets for awhile. I felt robbed of something that wasn’t even mine. Do you know that feeling?
I consoled myself by getting back to dairy a day earlier than my detox suggested. I brewed up a spitting-hot espresso maker of coffee and poured in organic half and half until it was that perfect color I hope to someday paint the walls of my mythical house in the woods. I painted Benetint on my lips and cheeks. I tried to cover the blemish on the end of my nose that won’t. go. away. (Do you know that feeling?) I tied a Bardot-esque thick black ribbon in my hair and turned on my favorite college radio station. I gave myself a tarot reading. Cards about waiting, nonaction, surrender, and trusting in the future appeared. I took this as a sign to dip my little boat in the river of the day that is––instead of the day I wanted––pulled on my boots, and stepped out into the snowy day. I picked something up for you:
Don’t you love these little pom poms?
Amy --- Just A Titch: Sometimes it’s those days that just *are* where we learn the most. I’ve got one of those blemishes, too. I feel your pain.
I hope your epic return to dairy was lovely!1 year ago
Sarah G: i had the exact same experience this morning!
last night, as my hubby and i cuddled up in front of the fire, i described to him what our lovely snow day would look like in the morning (my vision: pajamas all day, movies til you fall asleep, lots of reading, breaking our cleanse for something filling and creamy; his vision: working on the basement). this morning we woke up only to find that the temperature randomly flew up to 50 degrees and melted away all my hopes and dreams for today. i totally sympathize with the feeling of being robbed of something i never really had to begin with.
thanks for inspiring me to own the day, even if it didn’t turn out as i’d hoped.
(ps- i’ve been an avid follower of your blog for years- thank you for the wisdom, insight, relief, and beauty you continue to provide with each post!)1 year ago
Julie: There is something doubly annoying about having to work when the universe teases you into thinking you *might* get out of it. Like Sarah G., I had my whole awesome snow day planned out, complete with Top Chef All Stars catch-up and cassoulet.
Amen sister to those stubborn blemishes! It’s like it decided to hibernate on my cheek for the winter.1 year ago
Jen: Are we related? How you put my moods into words is a wonder. I made it out into the snow day here in NH but it was with muuuuuuuuuuuch begrudging and eye rolling and…probably pouting is the correct word. Fantastic post. Hope your day turned out to be unexpectedly nice.
Ever read The Snowy Day when you were a kid? I like it still actually. Ezra Jack Keats is the author.
What is it with the undying zits??? I have one on my chin that is apparently immortal.1 year ago
Ann Flora: I love the way you think. I like the way you write. And I pick up those seed pods, too.
Here’s to what is.1 year ago
Cordelia: Thank you for this. I woke up at 5 to find out that NYC schools were open and thus I had to trudge to work. Awful. But thanks for the pretty (non-sludgy) snow photos.1 year ago
jora: I love this, Sarah. That is all.1 year ago
L: Oh, S. I know the unfairness of losing something that was never ours to begin with. It’s worse because you can’t rationalize it.
It sounds like espresso, thinking of your dreamhouse in the woods, and crunching through snow might be redeeming moments? (Says the girl who had a snow day announced the night before).
I wish you many full and cozy snow days this winter. There is still end of Jan, Feb, Mar…1 year ago
Katie @ cakes, tea and dreams: I’m sorry you didn’t get the snow day you wanted. But I’m glad you found some bits of beauty in it. (Love those mitts.)1 year ago
Kelly: I can relate! All of the schools in my town are closed, but the university where I teach is (of course) not.
Also, I love this post. And all of your links!1 year ago
Regarding our collective spots: I really think this stuff is magic and forgot until today that I had. Also this, though I’m out.
Amy, Totally agree. It ended up being a lovely day in utterly unexpected ways. And the coffee with half and half: oh, it was heaven!
Sarah G, Well, thank YOU for being a loyal reader! And sitting in front of the fire with your husband dreaming up how you were going to spend the day sounds almost as good as having said day. Almost.
Julie, I hope you make time to catch up on Top Chef tonight! And yum…cassoulet. That’s definitely on my “to make” list.
Jen, I never did read that book! Probably since I grew up in Texas my mom decided not to taunt me with a way of getting out of school that I would never know. Actually, come to think of it, I think we did have school canceled once in Dallas for snow. I remember using a cookie sheet to sled down the most miniscule “hill” you ever saw.
Ann Flora, Thank you! “Here’s to what is,” is a lovely phrase indeed.
Cordelia, Boo! I hope you at least get Monday off as recompense.
Thanks, Jora!
L, I hope you enjoyed your snow day thoroughly! And you’re right: there’s still time to get away with one this winter.
Katie, You just gave me an idea for some kind of challenge about “beauty every day.” Will have to think more about that…
Kelly, The cruelty of it! But I always though college seemed cozy on snowy days, so I hope yours was similarly snug.1 year ago
Amy C: When I woke up and saw how little snow we got, I was so disheartened that I decided, screw it! Today WILL be a snow day. I just had my little heart set on a day spent eating cookies and playing games, and there was no dissuading me. So I made breakfast in bed for my husband and my little sister who is visiting. We played many rounds of Uno and Sequence and Mexican Train. I drank a lot of tea, and then we made fondue for dinner. The fireplace was roaring all day into the night. Sure, there may have only been 4 inches on the ground, but in my mind’s eye there was at least a solid 20.1 year ago
Love it, Amy C! You proved the power of conviction + imagination is unstoppable.
PS Looking for new fun winter games. Do you like Sequence? And what is Mexican Train?1 year ago
Dating is My Hobby: I totally know that feeling of being robbed of something that wasn’t yours to begin with. I felt the same way when I woke up to 1 inch of snow– not enough to call out for. Sigh.1 year ago
Jen: I feel your pain. Here in Wisconsin, we’ve had ONE snow storm this season…and on a SATURDAY! Of course it had to be the same night as our favorite annual Christmas party which we were forced to miss. There was serious sulking going on that night.
Nothing makes me feel like a kid again as the anticipation of being “snowed in” the following day (and then actually getting a snow day!) Perhaps we need to start creating our own “snow days” and forcing ourselves to spend a weekend day as if we truly were snowed in?1 year ago
Elise: Girl. The beautiful color of coffee and benetint on your lips… you have a great understanding of little luxuries and joie de vivre.1 year ago
Dating, I’m beginning to think we all should just take a page from Amy C’s playbook!
Jen, Yes, brilliant! I love the idea of self-imposed snow days!
Elise, That’s the best compliment you could give me. Yeah, I believe I’m what they call a sensualist. I couldn’t slog through any other way!1 year ago
Anna: I love this post! My little Benjamin and I gathered lots of the same (sweetgum??) balls in a nearby garden recently. He loved the texture of them. They look so pretty arranged together.1 year ago
Anna: I love this post! My little Benjamin and I gathered lots of the same (sweetgum??) balls in a nearby garden recently. He loved the texture of them. They look so pretty arranged together.1 year ago
Sarah J: Robbed! We have been totally robbed in Virginia and I am damned cranky about it. I wanted a full day of relaxation.
I crave that look of the first snow when the whole world is wiped clean.
I’m going to be honest. I took one look at that WL detox when the issue came before Christmas and tossed it into the basket. It has languished there since and may never come out. It all seemed so unreasonable (and un-French).1 year ago
Amy C: I LOVE sequence. And Mexican Train is a domino-based game that is easy enough to have some cocktails and conversation with the other players, but challenging enough to stay engaged…1 year ago